Man's Best Friend

by William Wegman

Book Overview

These photographs depict a Weimaraner dog dressed as Louis XIV, posing as Picasso's Old Guitarist, and variously covered with baby powder, flowers and tinsel.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810981742
• ISBN13: 9780810981744
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
• Length: 11 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.3" x 12.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Hmmm . . . interesting

I don't pretend to understand modern art, nor did I know the name of either William Wegman or his famous Weimaraner dog Man Ray before coming across this book (and let me say it's pretty hard not to notice a coffee table book with a picture of a dog with elephant tusks and a trunk on the cover). I just love dogs. I don't, as a general rule, like to see them dressed up to look silly (although I get a kick out of seeing doggie sweaters and the like), but that is not what is going on here. Well, Man Ray does look a little silly in a few pictures, but the introductory text of this book of photos makes it clear that Man Ray loved posing for his human and basically begged to be included in Wegman's work from the time he was a puppy. As for the whole clothing thing, it actually began as a way for Wegman to hide the weight Man Ray put on as he got older - of course, it soon became an object of fascination for the artist. This is not a thick book. After an introductory text featuring several small black and white photos, the book consists of 24 full-page color prints of Man Ray in different outfits and different poses. Several of them don't do a lot for me, especially the ones with Man Ray dressed up as an old woman or a bag lady, but there are some very poignant shots here. I love the one with Man Ray, sporting little horns, seemingly peering out from within the flames of a fireplace. A photo titled Broken/Hurt is amazing; beautifully shot, the somber expression on the dog's face will draw you right in to the photograph. Blue Portrait features two touching photos of Man Ray expressing sadness; the expressiveness this dog was able to put forth is really quite amazing. There are a few somewhat comical shots as well: Brooke has our canine model showing off a new pair of jeans, Frog is guaranteed to get a snicker out of you, and there's an adorable photo of Man Ray and another dog lying in bed watching television. If you love dogs, especially Weimaraners, you might like this book. Just remember, there isn't much more to it than 24 color photographs and a short introduction. Man Ray, who died in 1982, did enjoy a fair share of fame in contemporary art for his modeling work, and I would have to say that modern photographic art lovers are much more likely than dog lovers to enjoy Wegman's work.

Form and Function

Year after year, Bill Wegman continues to enchant us with the beauty and often hilarity of his Weimaraner subjects. Not just dogs playing dress-up, like most great art, Wegman offers a variety of images and meanings. He keeps us and his dogs on our toes by jumping from deliberate cuteness and impeccible fashion photography to dramatic sillouettes that turn dogs into surreal landscapes and abstract designs. Wegman sparks our imaginations, challenges us to laugh at both ourselves and our society, and brings us stunning visual photography. A calendar that says "I'm cool," with art that says "Cindy Crawford, you're not." I'll take "Man's Best Friend 2004" over poodles and lighthouses or shrunken Old Masters any day!

Wegman is a genius!

I guess it takes a Weimaraner owner to appreciate the true genius of Wegman's photography. Weims are the most enigmatic, animated, tireless and human-like dogs I have ever known. Baylee, our 1 year old Weim, has no idea that she's not human!! you'll learn that he has been a Weim lover going on 30 years now and it definitely shows in his photography.